Feasibility and efficacy of surgical staging for endometrial cancer by using Pfannenstiel incision

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term oncological and perioperative outcomes of using Pfannenstiel incision for the surgical staging of endometrial carcinoma. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. All patients with endometrial carcinoma referred to the Department of Surgical Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, for surgical staging between January 1, 2014, and July 1, 2016, were enrolled. The patients were grouped according to the type of surgical incision either through Pfannenstiel incision or midline incision, and the groups were compared. Demographic, clinical, operative, and short-term oncological features were analyzed. Results: A total number of 117 patients were recruited, of which 45 patients had Pfannenstiel incision, and 72 patients had midline incision. The clinical and pathological features of patients in both groups were similar. The operative outcomes showed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.1). Postoperatively, the Pfannenstiel incision group had a statistically significant lower rate of complications compared to the midline incision group (15.5% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.02). The short-term oncological outcomes in the form of total procured lymph nodes or para-aortic lymph nodes were not statistically different (p > 0.1). Conclusion: Pfannenstiel incision can be safely performed for the surgical staging of endometrial cancer with acceptable oncological outcomes compared to the midline incision.